Dialogues of the Dead

head. And Dee, sprawled across the Paronomania board like somesacrificial ox, his body rent by so many wounds that the blood' from them had joined to cover him in a scarlet cloak, and alt, across that body, gleaming like stars in some alien red sky, and scattered across the floor like the Milky Way, were the game's letter tiles, bearing some arcane message for any who could readi.. To a neutral observer it might look as if it was Dee who'd been the victim of a maniacal attack. ;; Dalziel when he arrived hot on Pascoe's heels had taken this't in at a glance. 'l After they'd called for an ambulance and ministered to Hat and' Rye as best they could, the Fat Man had said, 'Best try somaj resuscitation here.' 'Nay, sir, he's gone,' said his driver with the authority of one; who'd attended more major traffic accidents than he cared t@; recall. W 'Even so, can't have folk saying we didn't try,' said Dalziel' firmly. 'Pete, give us a hand.' Pascoe knew what they were doing. It was called interfering' with a crime scene. It was also called making sure that when the enquiry team sat in judgment in some nice clean conference room with pads of pristine paper to make notes on and jugs of crystal water to refresh their throats when they became dry from askingi 2 too many dusty questions, no one would be able to pass around. photos of an abattoir, i, No way they could alter the pathologist's report, of course^ But verbal description of the wounds wrapped in formal medical j language, or even photographs of the cleaned-up body on a mor"^ tuary slab did not begin to convey the scene at Stangcreek Cottage. ;i These morbid reflections were driven from his mind by a dis^S; turbance in the corridor. •' 'Where's he hiding at?' cried a familiar voice. 'In here? Keep; it quiet, tha says, luv? Nay, I've dealt with more malingerers than,| tha's had hot flushes.' ', The door burst open and Dalziel filled the room. ' ; 'I knew it. Up and talking. No wonder the NHS is short of,' beds with fit buggers like you filling them.' Behind him an indignant staff nurse fluttered till Dalziel put her out of sight and mind by shutting the door. 'So, howst'a doing, lad? What fettle?' said the Fat Man, sitting on the edge of the bed which responded with the outraged squeak of a goosed matron. 'I'm OK, I think, sir,' said Hat. 'He will be OK in a few weeks, I imagine,' said Pascoe firmly. 'A few weeks?' said Dalziel incredulously. 'No, honestly, I think I'll be out and about before that,' said Hat. Dalziel regarded him closely, then shook his head. 'No you won't,' he said. 'The DCI's right. Couple of weeks at least. Then a couple more convalescing.' 'No, really. ..' said Hat this volte-face taking him by surprise. 'Fuck really,' said Dalziel. 'Listen, lad, out there while you're in here, you're a wounded hero. So in here you'll stay till we get that made official. Then when you do come out, them as wonder why you needed to stab Dee the Dick thirteen times can mutter all they like. Can't touch a hero.' 'Why did you need to stab him thirteen times, Hat?' asked Pascoe. 'Wasn't counting,' said Hat. 'And maybe I didn't need to, but I certainly wanted to.' 'First bit, good answer. Second bit, lousy answer,' said Dalziel. 'Best is no answer. Look pale, little wince of pain, then say it's all a blur, you remember nowt but this monster trying to kill this helpless innocent lass. All you knew was you had to stop him, even if it meant putting your own life on the line. And if you get a gong, say you reckon it's the lass as should have it, all you did was your job, they'll love that.' 'Yes, sir,' said Hat. 'Sir, what about Penn?' 'What about him?' 'He alibi'd Dee for the Stang Creek killing, remember?' 'Maybe he got the night wrong. Maybe he was doing his mate a favour. Or maybe Dee bamboozled us about what he were doing the other possible times. Not your worry, lad. Leave Charley Penn to me.' 'Yes, sir,' said Hat, closing his eyes momentarily and wincing. 'You OK?' said Pascoe, concerned. 'Fine,' said Hat. 'Didn't realize it was such hard work being a hero.'

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